Metairie • New Orleans • Kenner • Southeast Louisiana
How to Freeze Herbs in Olive Oil: Easy Herb Cubes for Louisiana Kitchens
Preserve late-summer basil, rosemary, thyme and other fresh herbs by freezing them with flavorful olive oil for quick pastas, vegetables, soups, seafood and weeknight dinners.
Learning how to freeze herbs in olive oil is one of the easiest ways to save fresh summer flavor before the season changes. If your basil plant is overflowing, your rosemary is growing faster than you can use it, or you bought too many fresh herbs for one recipe, do not let them wilt in the refrigerator.
Instead, chop the herbs, mix them with a good olive oil and freeze the mixture in small portions. Later, you can drop a frozen herb cube directly into a skillet, pasta sauce, soup or vegetable dish.
Because there are only a few ingredients, the quality of the oil matters. If you have ever wondered what separates better olive oil from ordinary supermarket oil, read our
guide to cold-pressed olive oil
.
For busy households around Metairie, New Orleans, Kenner, Lakeview and Southeast Louisiana, these little flavor cubes can make school-night cooking much easier.
Quick Answer
Can You Freeze Fresh Herbs in Olive Oil?
Yes. Chop clean, dry herbs, combine them with olive oil, portion the mixture into an ice cube tray and freeze it immediately. Once frozen, transfer the cubes to a labeled freezer-safe container or bag. Use the cubes directly from frozen in cooked dishes.
Why Late August Is a Great Time to Preserve Fresh Herbs
Late summer creates a familiar kitchen problem. Basil, rosemary, thyme, oregano, parsley and other herbs can still be plentiful, but fall schedules are already getting busier.
That makes August a smart time to turn extra herbs into ingredients you will actually use later.
Freezing herbs is also useful because frozen herbs work especially well in cooked dishes. Penn State Extension notes that freezing can cause herbs to become limp after thawing. Therefore, they are usually better suited for sauces, soups and other cooked recipes than as a fresh garnish.
You can read more about safe methods for
freezing herbs from Penn State Extension
.
Easy DIY
How to Make Olive Oil Herb Cubes
You do not need special equipment. An ice cube tray, knife, cutting board and freezer-safe container will do the job.
What You Need
- Fresh basil, rosemary, thyme, oregano, parsley or another favorite herb
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Clean ice cube tray
- Sharp knife
- Freezer-safe bag or container
- Label and marker
Step 1: Wash the Herbs
Rinse the herbs thoroughly. Remove any damaged or discolored leaves.
Step 2: Dry Them Well
Pat the herbs dry with a clean towel or use a salad spinner. Removing excess moisture improves the finished texture and makes the herbs easier to chop.
Step 3: Chop
Remove tough stems when needed. Then chop the leaves to roughly the size you would normally use for cooking.
Step 4: Add Olive Oil
Place the chopped herbs into the ice cube tray. Add enough olive oil to coat and surround the herbs without overfilling each compartment.
Step 5: Freeze Immediately
Put the tray directly into the freezer. Once the cubes are frozen, remove them from the tray and place them in a labeled freezer-safe container.
Step 6: Cook Straight From Frozen
Drop a cube into a hot skillet, sauce, soup, roasted vegetable dish or other cooked recipe. There is usually no need to thaw it first.
Wondering whether extra virgin olive oil can handle the heat? Read our guide:
Can You Cook With Cold-Pressed Olive Oil?
Start With Olive Oil You Actually Love
Because the olive oil becomes part of the finished dish, choose an oil whose flavor complements the herbs you are preserving.
5 Easy Olive Oil Herb Cube Combinations
Start simple. These combinations make it easy to turn whatever herbs you have into convenient building blocks for future meals.
🌿 1. Basil + Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Basil is one of the best herbs to freeze in oil. Use the cubes later for tomato sauce, pasta, chicken, vegetables, pizza or soup.
Try it with: a fruity or medium-intensity extra virgin olive oil that lets the basil remain the star.
🌱 2. Rosemary + Robust EVOO
Rosemary can handle a stronger olive oil. This combination works beautifully with roasted potatoes, chicken, pork, beans and hearty vegetables.
DIY tip: Chop rosemary fairly fine before freezing so it distributes evenly through the dish.
🍃 3. Thyme + Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Thyme is an easy all-purpose choice. Drop a cube into soups, pan sauces, vegetables, mushrooms or chicken dishes.
It is especially convenient during fall when soups and roasted dishes return to the weekly menu.
🌿 4. Oregano + Olive Oil
Oregano and olive oil create an instant starting point for Greek-inspired chicken, roasted vegetables, marinara, beans and Mediterranean-style meals.
Add lemon juice, balsamic or another acidic ingredient later when you prepare the final dish.
🌿 5. Mixed Garden Herb Cubes
Have a little bit of everything left? Mix basil, thyme, parsley and oregano into one versatile blend.
Label it “Italian Herb” and use it for pasta sauces, chicken, vegetables, bread dipping or weeknight skillet meals.
Important Food-Safety Tip
Do Not Store Fresh Herbs in Oil at Room Temperature
Fresh herbs and garlic stored in oil require proper handling. Do not make homemade herb-and-oil mixtures and leave them sitting on the counter for long-term storage.
Penn State Extension recommends freezing herbs when combining them with oil. Likewise, the National Center for Home Food Preservation warns that homemade garlic-in-oil mixtures stored at room temperature can create conditions that support botulism.
If you include fresh garlic, the National Center for Home Food Preservation advises keeping homemade garlic-in-oil refrigerated at 40°F or below for no more than four days, or freezing it for longer storage.
Learn more from the
National Center for Home Food Preservation
What Can You Make With Frozen Olive Oil Herb Cubes?
This is where the DIY really pays off. Instead of measuring oil and chopping herbs every night, you already have the beginning of a flavorful meal waiting in the freezer.
- Sautéed shrimp: Melt a basil or herb cube in the skillet before adding shrimp.
- Pasta: Toss a warm herb cube with pasta, Parmesan and a little pasta water.
- Roasted vegetables: Melt the cube and toss it with vegetables before roasting.
- Chicken: Use the oil and herbs as the starting point for a pan sauce.
- Soup: Drop a cube into vegetable, bean or chicken soup.
- Tomato sauce: Start marinara with an oregano, basil or mixed-herb cube.
- Beans: Add a rosemary or thyme cube while warming white beans.
- Eggs: Melt a small portion in a skillet before scrambled eggs or an omelet.
Keep Cooking
Have More Fresh Basil to Use?
Turn fresh herbs into pesto, chimichurri and other easy summer sauces with our guide to five no-cook olive oil sauces.
A Smart Meal-Prep Trick for Busy Louisiana Kitchens
Around Metairie and New Orleans, August still feels very much like summer. However, school schedules, sports, activities and busier evenings can make dinner feel more like fall.
Keeping a few homemade flavor cubes in the freezer gives you a shortcut without relying on a bottled sauce every night.
Stop by Old Metairie Olive Oils & Vinegars at 103 Focis Street in Metairie and taste different olive oils before choosing one for your herbs. A mild, fruity oil may be perfect for basil, while a stronger EVOO can stand up beautifully to rosemary or oregano.
DIY Tips & Tricks
✓ Label Every Batch
Once frozen, basil and oregano can look surprisingly similar. Write the herb combination and date on the freezer container.
✓ Make Smaller Portions
You do not need a huge cube of olive oil for every meal. Smaller ice cube trays or silicone molds make portioning easier.
✓ Build Cubes Around How You Cook
Do not freeze combinations just because they sound interesting. Think about the meals your family actually eats.
✓ Try More Than One EVOO
Different olive varieties can taste fruity, grassy, peppery or robust. Changing the oil can completely change the finished herb mixture.
✓ Keep Balsamic for the Finish
Melt your olive oil herb cube while cooking. Then add a complementary balsamic vinegar near the end for acidity, sweetness and another layer of flavor.
Want to Take the Flavor One Step Further?
Pair your herb-infused meals with a dark, white or rosé balsamic vinegar. Old Metairie has combinations for vegetables, chicken, seafood, salads and more.
Frequently Asked Questions
Freezing Herbs in Olive Oil FAQ
Can you freeze basil in olive oil?
Yes. Basil works especially well when frozen with olive oil. Chop clean, dry basil, combine it with olive oil and freeze immediately. Use it later in sauces, pasta, vegetables and cooked dishes.
What herbs freeze well in olive oil?
Basil, rosemary, thyme, oregano and parsley are good choices. You can freeze one herb at a time or create blends based on the dishes you cook most often.
Do you have to thaw olive oil herb cubes?
Usually, no. For cooked dishes, add the cube directly to the skillet, pot or sauce and allow it to melt as the dish cooks.
Can you leave herbs sitting in olive oil on the counter?
No. Fresh herb-and-oil mixtures should not be kept at room temperature for long-term storage. For this DIY, prepare the mixture and freeze it promptly.
Can I add fresh garlic to olive oil herb cubes?
Garlic can be frozen with oil, but proper food handling is important. The National Center for Home Food Preservation advises that homemade garlic-in-oil kept refrigerated should be held at 40°F or below and used within four days, or frozen for longer storage.
Can you cook with cold-pressed extra virgin olive oil?
Yes. Extra virgin olive oil works well for many everyday cooking methods, including sautéing and roasting. Learn more in our
guide to cooking with cold-pressed olive oil
.
Where can I buy premium olive oil in Metairie?
Visit Old Metairie Olive Oils & Vinegars at 103 Focis Street in Metairie, Louisiana. You can taste different olive oils in the store and find one that matches the herbs and recipes you enjoy.
Keep Exploring Old Metairie
More Ways to Use Olive Oil & Balsamic
Learn more about premium olive oil, discover flavor combinations and find easy recipes for your Louisiana kitchen.
Taste Before You Choose
Find Your Favorite Olive Oil in Old Metairie
Visit Old Metairie Olive Oils & Vinegars for premium extra virgin olive oils, infused and fused oils, balsamic vinegars, gourmet pantry items and personalized flavor-pairing ideas.
103 Focis St, Metairie, LA 70005
Tuesday–Friday: 10:00 AM–5:30 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM–4:00 PM
